4 Types of Colic
Colic - The 4 Types Baby colic is one of those conditions which seems to be continually misunderstood.
Some commentators maintain that it's normal and not painful whilst others suggest that it's a severe and painful condition best medicated.
Let's find the truth and in so doing, what is useful in terms of treatment.
The Causes of Colic This is where a considerable amount of uncertainty arises because the baby can't tell you what hurts.
So we must use common sense and common sense has always led both parent and medical practitioner to believe that gas is somehow to blame.
So let me explain how this is true but is only part of the story.
Imagine how gas might get trapped.
The first stop for milk is the stomach and this appears to be one of the main causes of colic - stomach gas.
We know this because babies who have trouble burping are often colic sufferers but once they learn or are helped to burp regularly, symptoms improve dramatically.
The next and arguably, most common cause of colic symptoms is an excessive amount of gas in the baby's intestinal tract.
This can be gas that passes from the stomach through to the intestinal tract or gas that is a bi-product of the digestive process or simply gas that gets trapped in the immature intestinal folds.
Whichever, the result is cramping, bloating and discomfort.
We know this is a cause of colic because of the frequent success enjoyed by the various massage and gas release techniques which stimulate gas release (farting) as well as the fact that various medications and 'remedies' relax the intestinal tract and bring relief.
The next cause of colic has nothing to do with gas yet the symptoms are very similar - an uncomfortable and crying baby.
This type of colic has more to do with spasms and kinks in the musculoskeletal system.
It is frequently, though not necessarily, present from the very early days and is more common in caesarian deliveries, forceps deliveries, breech births, etc.
This could arise either because of the babies position during pregnancy, a traumatic birth or because there was no traumatic birth (caesarian babies not passing through the birth canal and getting 'de-kinked').
We know this 'musculoskeletal' type exists because of the significant number of sufferers who ultimately obtain relief through treatment from a chiropractor/massage therapist/physio/osteopath who specializes in babies.
And finally, there is a category of colic that just can't be pigeon-holed and I will refer to this as neurological colic, for want of a better term.
In these cases, the baby burps and farts quite well and has no obvious tension or cramping.
They are unresponsive to most intervention other than strong medication, usually containing large doses of alcohol! How could it start? There are oh so many ways.
Overstimulation is a big culprit though - too much noise, too many people, too many smells.
Peace, quiet and patience required! Treatment - What Really Works? Having made the case for a variety of causes, it would then be logical to assume that they are going to require different types of treatment or intervention.
Once again, the inherent desire for a 'one-size-fits-all' treatment contributes to the misunderstanding of colic and what can be done.
Firstly, there is treatment for symptoms.
If the symptoms of an unhappy baby are cramping, crying and restlessness, then by all means, try various remedies, medicines recommended by your pediatrician, teas, calming and soothing techniques, white noise, etc.
There is a wide range of things to try and really, it's a case of try and see what works.
Then there is treatment for the underlying cause.
Stomach gas will have to be relieved through better burping techniques and there are a range of these.
Intestinal gas will need to be un-trapped or it's passage speeded along.
Once again, there is a range of excellent exercises that are very effective for the parent willing to get involved.
It doesn't always work and often is only relieved when solid foods are introduced at 4-6 months.
Likewise, musculoskeletal colic can often be relieved through gentle stretches that can be learned by the parent though intervention by a skilled practitioner may be required.
What is clear is that the sooner the parent takes effective steps to help, the greater the likelihood of breaking the cycle.
Some commentators maintain that it's normal and not painful whilst others suggest that it's a severe and painful condition best medicated.
Let's find the truth and in so doing, what is useful in terms of treatment.
The Causes of Colic This is where a considerable amount of uncertainty arises because the baby can't tell you what hurts.
So we must use common sense and common sense has always led both parent and medical practitioner to believe that gas is somehow to blame.
So let me explain how this is true but is only part of the story.
Imagine how gas might get trapped.
The first stop for milk is the stomach and this appears to be one of the main causes of colic - stomach gas.
We know this because babies who have trouble burping are often colic sufferers but once they learn or are helped to burp regularly, symptoms improve dramatically.
The next and arguably, most common cause of colic symptoms is an excessive amount of gas in the baby's intestinal tract.
This can be gas that passes from the stomach through to the intestinal tract or gas that is a bi-product of the digestive process or simply gas that gets trapped in the immature intestinal folds.
Whichever, the result is cramping, bloating and discomfort.
We know this is a cause of colic because of the frequent success enjoyed by the various massage and gas release techniques which stimulate gas release (farting) as well as the fact that various medications and 'remedies' relax the intestinal tract and bring relief.
The next cause of colic has nothing to do with gas yet the symptoms are very similar - an uncomfortable and crying baby.
This type of colic has more to do with spasms and kinks in the musculoskeletal system.
It is frequently, though not necessarily, present from the very early days and is more common in caesarian deliveries, forceps deliveries, breech births, etc.
This could arise either because of the babies position during pregnancy, a traumatic birth or because there was no traumatic birth (caesarian babies not passing through the birth canal and getting 'de-kinked').
We know this 'musculoskeletal' type exists because of the significant number of sufferers who ultimately obtain relief through treatment from a chiropractor/massage therapist/physio/osteopath who specializes in babies.
And finally, there is a category of colic that just can't be pigeon-holed and I will refer to this as neurological colic, for want of a better term.
In these cases, the baby burps and farts quite well and has no obvious tension or cramping.
They are unresponsive to most intervention other than strong medication, usually containing large doses of alcohol! How could it start? There are oh so many ways.
Overstimulation is a big culprit though - too much noise, too many people, too many smells.
Peace, quiet and patience required! Treatment - What Really Works? Having made the case for a variety of causes, it would then be logical to assume that they are going to require different types of treatment or intervention.
Once again, the inherent desire for a 'one-size-fits-all' treatment contributes to the misunderstanding of colic and what can be done.
Firstly, there is treatment for symptoms.
If the symptoms of an unhappy baby are cramping, crying and restlessness, then by all means, try various remedies, medicines recommended by your pediatrician, teas, calming and soothing techniques, white noise, etc.
There is a wide range of things to try and really, it's a case of try and see what works.
Then there is treatment for the underlying cause.
Stomach gas will have to be relieved through better burping techniques and there are a range of these.
Intestinal gas will need to be un-trapped or it's passage speeded along.
Once again, there is a range of excellent exercises that are very effective for the parent willing to get involved.
It doesn't always work and often is only relieved when solid foods are introduced at 4-6 months.
Likewise, musculoskeletal colic can often be relieved through gentle stretches that can be learned by the parent though intervention by a skilled practitioner may be required.
What is clear is that the sooner the parent takes effective steps to help, the greater the likelihood of breaking the cycle.
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